5-Day Isle of Skye, Loch Ness and the Jacobite Steam Train from Edinburgh

Explore the Highland beauty of Scotland's west coast and the Isle of Skye on a 5-day excursion from Edinburgh. This in-depth tour of Scotland’s classic locations includes visits to Stirling, the Scottish Highlands, Isle of Skye, Eilean Donan Castle, Loch Ness and Culloden Battlefield, plus a ride on the ‘Jacobite Steam Train’ — a mode of transport made famous as ‘Hogwarts Express’ in the Harry Potter films. Choose from 3-star guesthouse or hotel accommodation with breakfasts in Oban, the Isle of Skye and Inverness.

Highlights

Close encounter with wildlife

Get inside tips from a local

Multi-Day Trip

Perfect introduction for first-time visitors

Your 5-day Scotland tour includes four nights of 3-star accommodation with breakfasts in Oban, Portree (Isle of Skye) and Inverness. Choose to stay in hotels for traditional accommodation or opt to stay in cozy guesthouses for a more personal, local experience.

Ample free time is included in between daily tours and excursions, and breaks are factored in to each day’s itinerary for lunches and dinners (own expense). No activities are arranged in the evenings, allowing you to explore the towns as you wish.

Pricing information

5-Day Isle of Skye, Loch Ness and the Jacobite Steam Train from Edinburgh

Inclusions:

Transport by air-conditioned minibus

Professional guide

4 nights of accommodation

Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)

'Jacobite Steam Train' ride from Mallaig to Fort William

Ferry ride to the Isle of Skye

Loch Ness boat cruise

Admission to ruins at Urquhart Castle

Admission to Tomatin whisky distillery

Exclusions:

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Food and drinks, unless specified

Gratuities (optional)

Additional Information:

Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 30 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability

Minimum age is 5 years

Each traveler is allowed a maximum of 1 suitcase weighing no more than 33lbs (15kg) and 1 carry-on bag

Accommodation on this tour is in a twin, double or single room; if you would like to book multiple single rooms, please make a note of your room preferences in the Special Requirements field when booking

Family rooms can be booked, subject to availability; if required, make a note in the Special Requirements field when booking

Rates for just one person include a single room supplement

Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them to board and disembark

Itinerary:

Day 1: Edinburgh – Stirling – Highlands – Oban Leave the Royal Mile in central Edinburgh by air-conditioned minibus, and head north to the ancient Scottish capital of Stirling to see the site of the Battle of Stirling Bridge — a fight that took place during the 13th-century First War of Scottish Independence. From the site, take in stunning views of Stirling Caste and the towering Wallace Monument.

Travel through the wild plains of Rannoch Moor and into brooding Glencoe, site of the massacre of 1692. Gaze out of your window at the scenery, pass the Isles of the Dead, and continue to Oban, a lovely west coast fishing port where your overnight accommodation awaits.Overnight: 3-star guesthouse or hotel in Oban

Day 2: Oban – Jacobite Steam Train – Isle of Skye (B)After breakfast, travel along the west coast by minibus, and then take the Jacobite Steam Train from Fort William to Mallaig — a journey voted by UK travel magazine Wanderlust as the 'top rail journey in the world.’ The train itself starred as Hogwarts Express in many of the Harry Potter films, and its route crosses Glenfinnan viaduct — a sight made famous in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Relax as you pass the village of Glenfinnan, where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard at the start of the failed Jacobite campaign, and hop off the train at Mallaig. Then, board your ferry and travel across the sea to the beautiful Isle of Skye, typified by its awe-inspiring mountains, myths and legends. Your first stop on the island is Clan Donald Skye, a sweeping 20,000-acre (8,094-hectare) estate, for a walk around before your final journey of the day to the island’s capital Portree. Check in to your accommodation and spend your night at leisure.

Overnight: 3-star guesthouse or hotel in Portree, Isle of Skye

Day 3: Isle of Skye – Eilean Donan Castle – Loch Ness – Inverness (B)Enjoy breakfast in your accommodation and then spend your morning exploring the Isle of Skye with your guide. Visit the Quiraing rock formation at Trotternish Ridge, stroll around Kilt Rock to marvel at its basalt columns, and soak up the raw beauty of the island’s wind-whipped cliffs and extraordinary geological scenery.

In the afternoon, return to mainland Scotland by crossing Skye Bridge, and then travel through the glorious west coast countryside to one of Scotland’s most-photographed landmarks: Eilean Donan Castle. Used as a filming location in the 1986 movie Highlander, the ruins of the romantic castle look out over three sea lochs, and the landmark is widely considered as one of Scotland’s most iconic sights.

After admiring the ruins and taking photos, travel through the Great Glen to Loch Ness, home of the fabled Loch Ness Monster, aka Nessie. Use some free time for a stroll along the banks of the famous freshwater loch, and then make your way to Inverness, capital of the Highlands, to check in to your overnight accommodation.Overnight: 3-star guesthouse or hotel in Inverness

Day 4: Inverness – Loch Ness – Ullapool – Inverness (B)Relax over breakfast, and spend your morning back at Loch Ness looking for the monster on a Loch Ness boat cruise. Soak up the scenery, and stop to visit the ruins of Urquhart Castle, an impressive medieval stronghold that sits on the bonnie banks of the loch.

Back on dry land, leave Loch Ness behind and head through the northwest Highlands to the small coastal village of Ullapool for a look around. Stretch your legs on a stroll, and take in the stunning vistas of Loch Broom, a photogenic sea loch located nearby. In the late afternoon, return to Inverness and spend your last evening in the Highlands doing whatever you wish.

Overnight: 3-star guesthouse or hotel in Inverness

Day 5: Inverness – Culloden Battlefield – Aviemore – Pitlochry – Edinburgh (B)Check out of your accommodation after breakfast, and visit the atmospheric Culloden Battlefield, scene of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s defeat at the end of the Jacobite Rebellion. Explore the site with your guide, and perhaps check out the visitor center and exhibition to learn more about the Jacobite Rebellion — the series of battles that helped shape Scottish history.

In the afternoon, travel through Cairngorms National Park and stop for a visit to Aviemore, a village set within the National Park that offers breathtaking views of the Cairngorms Mountains. Enjoy some free time for a walk before traveling south to Pitlochry. Here, you have the opportunity to visit a local whisky distillery (admission own expense) to learn about the Scotch whisky that’s produced in the town. Finally, return to the start point in central Edinburgh, where your 5-day tour finishes in the early evening.

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Local Operator Information:

Complete Operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, are included on your Confirmation Voucher. Our Product Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind.

Traveler Reviews

This tour was really great and truly showed the beauty of Scotland. Our driver Andy was incredibly funny and knowledgeable and went out of his way to make sure we saw everything we possibly could so we wouldn't miss out. The b and b in Oban was just lovely and all had very nice breakfast.

Reviewed by: John A, Australia, June 2015

5 day tour from Edinburgh through the Highlands in early June. We normally steer clear of organised tours but this was a small group and the experience was nothing short of fantastic. Accommodation was in B and Bs organised by the Tour Co and was very acceptable. The route chosen Edinburgh, Oban, Isle of Man, Inverness and back to Edinburgh was close to spot on for the time available with plenty of free time to do our own thing. The tour guide Heather was just wonderful. A bright and bubbly Scott with a great personality, incredible knowledge of history and the locals and wonderfully passionate and clear delivery. 10 out of 10 :
Highly recommended.